DUSHANBE, February 7, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan’s Council for Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) Affairs held its first meeting in Dushanbe on February 4, the presidential press service reported.

Presided over by President Emomali Rahmon, the meeting brought together heads of ministries of finance, education, economic development and trade, and transport and communications, as well as senior representatives of associations of Internet-providers and mobile communication companies to discuss a broad range of issues related to use of ICTs in the public management system, access of youth to e-learning, e-libraries, introduction of e-government into operation, providing information security, etc.

Heads of the mentioned ministries and associations of Tajik Internet-providers and mobile communication companies reported on the progress of implementation of national programs and working plans in the field of ICTs and gave their views on removal of shortcomings and improvement of work in that area.

The council decided to set up its regional, city and district branches within a month.  The council members are to report on their work every three months.  The council secretariat will be established to control implementation of the council’s decisions.